Sometimes what God asks us to do is scary, so we need courage. Other times it is grueling, so we need persistence. But sometimes it’s only inconvenient. Then we need love and obedience.

When your children put their toys aside and leave the house with you, and then you don’t tell them where you are going, or if you tell them and the place isn’t fun. Your kids will have long and frustrated sighs and roll their eyes. “Why? …”, they will say, dropping their heads.

As children of God, we often do the same thing when our Heavenly Father asks us to do something that interferes with our routine. Sacrificing our TV night to visit a friend in need of prayer. Donate our savings to help a stranger. Saying no to a lovely single woman because she is not walking in the will of God. “Oh no… I don’t want to do this…!” Sometimes what God asks of us is not difficult, it’s just annoying.

It was inconvenient for the disciples to cast their net once more: they had finished their day of fishing! “But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing…” (Luke 5:5a NKJV). It was annoying for Elijah’s servant to go and check a seventh time whether a rain cloud was on the horizon (1 Kings 18:43-44). It was certainly not pleasant for the Israelites, who had to repack all their luggage every time the column of smoke moved for no apparent reason (Numbers 9:18).

We live in a world where technology is there to make our lives easier in almost every way. There is always a new gadget to make this or that chore easier or faster. We are so used to seeking our comfort that we can even become unresponsive to God’s call. As soon as something disturbs our habits, plans, or our thoughts, we quickly reject it. We don’t even take the time to consider it.

Paul compared his work for Christ to a form of slavery! “I am free and belong to no one. But I make myself a slave to all people to win as many as I can” (1 Corinthians 9:19 NCV). As a follower of Christ, we should be used to being disturbed in our routine. Our Christian life is not supposed to be comfortable.

Just as good parents want the best for their children, our Heavenly Father wants the best for us too. When what He asks us to do is inconvenient regarding our routine or our habits, when it’s annoying and takes us out of our comfort, it is always to lead us toward a blessing. Whether it is a reward here on Earth or later when we see Him face to face. It is good to be prepared to be disturbed by God.

What can this mean for a single person? Maybe God wants to present you with a good suitor in an activity, but for that, you will have to cancel the plans you had made. Maybe God will inspire you to make new friendships that don’t have the same interests as you, and you will need to step out of your comfort zone. Maybe God will invite you to sacrifice your TV night to take more time with Him, to know His will for you. The list is endless. It’s up to you to consult God now and be ready… because it might be inconvenient!